Local Wildlife
Prior to European settlement the Adelaide plains contained a wide variety of flora and fauna including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, spiders, butterflies and other insects.The indigenous vegetation in the Prospect area would have primarily been Mallee woodland, grading to grasslands in the north western areas.
For the Prospect area there is little specific information about the fauna which once lived here, however Red Kangaroos, Bilbies, Bettongs, Hairy nosed wombats, Numbats, Possums, Bats and a wide variety of birds, reptiles and other species were likely to have been present.
The urbanisation of the Adelaide plains which has occurred since 1836 has seen much of the native flora destroyed and fragmented, with a resulting loss of natural habitat for fauna. Many animal and plant species are now locally extinct, and it is unlikely that some species will ever return.
Despite the almost complete destruction of natural habitat in the area, many species of fauna still find food and shelter in our suburban areas.
More information about the indigenous vegetation of City of Prospect area can be found here. Two vegetation species lists are available:
Spear Grass and Wallaby-Grass Woodland
There are also many websites containing information about the flora and fauna of Adelaide, including Green Adelaide and the SA Museum. Links to various other websites relating to fauna can be found on the pages specific to each type of fauna.
Each year Prospect registers for Birdlife Australia’s Aussie Backyard Bird Count. Held each October, the count invites you to spend 20 minutes in your favourite outdoor space and record the birds you see during that period. To get involved visit the Aussie Backyard Bird Count website.
There are several general principles which apply for attracting native fauna to suburban gardens.
These include:
- Providing a variety of native plants (of all sizes and ages) in your garden.
- Providing "structural habitat" such as rock piles, dead logs, mulch or tree boxes.
- Minimising the chance of pets killing or scaring fauna away.
- Minimising or avoiding pesticide and herbicide use in the home and garden.
The suburban area can present some hazards to fauna and in some cases residents or visitors may find injured fauna in their gardens or neighbourhoods. Fortunately there are organisations and volunteers who can assist with caring for native fauna, such as FaunaRescue.
Did you know we have a population of Grey-headed Flying-foxes in Adelaide? They are generally found on the east coast of Australia but have become ‘climate refugees’, seeking new habitats and food sources as existing ones become increasingly under pressure.
These animals require our protection and understanding in order to survive. They are very important for ecological systems as they pollinate and spread the seed of over 100 native plants, helping our natural areas to regenerate effectively into the future.
Bat colonies are also appearing in the South-East and Naracoorte, so it would seem the bats are spreading their wings across the State.
Some flying-foxes can carry disease, so it is important not to touch them, but looking at them or seeing them overhead is perfectly safe. If anyone comes across a bat on the ground, they can contact City of Prospect on 8269 5355 or Fauna Rescue’s Flying Fox Helpline on 0475 132 093.
Native animals such as magpies are part of our natural environment and are protected by law.
During nesting season generally between August to October, magpies often defend their territory by swooping people or animals who may come close to their nesting area. The good news is that an individual magpie will swoop for only about six weeks until their chicks are fledged and leave the nest.
Council’s philosophy is to encourage our community to live harmoniously with wildlife which means that we don’t intervene but rather encourage people to adopt some preventative measures to keep safe during this time including:
- Take a different route next time
- Protect your head and eyes
- Wear a hat or carry an open umbrella
- Walk your bicycle
- Leave promptly but don't run
For more information, you can check out https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/goodliving/posts/2017/08/magpie-swooping-season
If you have any information which may assist Council with building up its knowledge of the native fauna or flora of the area, or if you would like more information, please contact Council's Environmental staff on 8269 5355, or via email at admin@prospect.sa.gov.au